MG had a raft of new models on display at the Melbourne motor show, but the most luxurious by far was a big new extended-range electric SUV.
The IM LS9 is a large SUV from IM Motors, the premium division of Chinese automotive giant SAIC Motor which owns the MG brand, and was first revealed in China in July 2025.
IM vehicles are currently sold via MG showrooms in Australia under the IM Presented by MG Motor banner. But while thus far only electric IMs are offered here, the LS9 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).
MG Motor Australia confirmed last year it was planning to expand the IM lineup, and the LS9’s appearance in Melbourne suggests this is the model it’ll import next.
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“We have already begun looking at opportunities, which may include a large SUV, for a third model in 2026 or beyond, under the IM Presented by MG Motor brand,” the company told CarExpert last August.
The LS9 has an 800V electrical system and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the latter of which is used as a generator to power either a 52kWh or 66kWh battery. This battery in turn powers the electric motors – one at each end of the vehicle – to send drive to the wheels.
Total system outputs are 390kW and 670Nm, with combined range of up to 1500km on the more generous CLTC cycle.
A detailed earlier this year features three electric motors, as well as a new four-wheel steer-by-wire system.
Should the LS9 be launched here, it would be the largest SUV ever offered by MG in Australia.
The LS9 measures 5279mm long, making it up to 300mm longer than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, as well as 2000mm wide and 1806mm high, on a 3160mm wheelbase.
The MG QS large SUV, in contrast, measures 4983mm long, 1967mm wide and 1778mm tall on a 2915mm wheelbase.
It’s unclear how much the LS9 would cost in Australia. The MG IM6 currently tops out at $77,990 before on-road costs in Performance guise, making it the second most expensive MG behind the Cyberster electric sports car.
The LS9 would be the most luxurious model in MG showrooms. In China, it comes standard with four-wheel steering, dual-chamber air suspension, and electronically controlled dynamic damping.
Inside, there’s a 27.1-inch screen ahead of the driver, a 15.6-inch screen ahead of the passenger, two 21.5-inch screens in the second row, Nappa leather upholstery, a 12.3-litre refrigerator with a heating function, two 50W wireless phone chargers with cooling, and a 21-speaker sound system. The front seats feature heating, ventilation, massage and memory.
It’s also available with 22-inch star-studded, mirror-finish alloy wheels and a 25-speaker B&O sound system.
IM has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in Australia.
Order books opened for the large IM5 liftback and IM6 crossover SUV last June, ahead of first customer deliveries in September.
MG delivered 164 IM5s and 260 IM6s in 2025. The Zeekr 7X, also a late-2025 introduction and a rival to the IM6, notched up 1206 deliveries.
In the first three months of 2026, MG delivered 101 IM5s and 134 IM6s.
In China, the IM Motors brand – founded in 2020 – also offers the larger L7 sedan and LS7 SUV, which slot in above the L6 and LS6 (aka the IM5 and IM6).
These all offer electric power, apart from the LS6 which can also now be had as an EREV following a facelift in 2025.
IM Motors is busily expanding its EREV lineup, with the LS6 and LS9 joined earlier this year by the LS8.
MORE: Explore the MG showroom
